Brake-actuating mechanism.



c. A. LINDSTRO M.

BRAKE ACTUATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23, 19M.

. Patented Jan. 4, 19 16.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

NESSES: w

' v A TORNEYS c. A. LINDSTRUM. BRAKE A'cTuATm'e 'MECHA'NIS'M.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 23, l9l4.

Patentedjnf l; 1916.

'2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- R O T N E V N UNITED .sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

BRAKE COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

BRAKE-ACTUATING MECHANISM.

Original application filed June 21, 1912, Serial No. 704,992; Dividedand this application filed November Patented Jan. 4, 1916.

\ 1 23,1914. Serial No. 873,448.

To all whom it ma concern":-

Be it known t at I, CHARLES A. LIND- sTRiiM, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Allegheny, county of Allegheny, State ofPennsylvania, have invented 'certain new and uesful Improvements inBrake-Actuating Mechanism, (division of my application Serial No.704,992, filed June 21, 1912, Patent No. 1,120,151, dated December 8,1914;) and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the artto which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has relation to brake actuatin mechanism. More specificallystated, it re ates to hand-brake actuating mechanism of the type whichincludes drop levers which are adapted to be raised from a depending orfolded position to a horizontal or extended position when it is desiredto actuate the mechanism for the purpose of applying the brakes. v

One of the objects of my invention is to provide an improvedconstruction of means for automatically actuating the clutch mechanismwhich is interposed between the said hand leverand the brake staff whenthe said lever is raised or lowered.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be specificallyreferred to here- I inafter in the detailed description of my invention,or will be apparent therefrom.

An embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, but it will be understood that changes in the details ofconstruction may be made within the scope of the claims withoutdeparting therefrom.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view of mechanismembodying my invention taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2, also showing intop plan view the handle portion of the same; Fig. 2 is a verticalsection taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and.

also shows a portion of the handle in side elevation and a portionthereof broken.

away; Fig. 3 is a transversesectional view on the line 3-3 of Figs. 1and 2; Fig. 4 is a view partly in elevation and partly in sec tion withparts broken away showing the upper end portion of the brake staifprovided with my invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a pawlhaving a stem integrally connected therewith, which pawl is adapted tobe engaged with and disengaged from the teeth of a ratchet wheel securedu on the brake staff; Fig. 6 is'a view in end e ovation of a car havinga brake stafi' provlded with brake actuating mechanism embodying myinvention; Fig.- 7 is a view n elevatlon of a portion of the side of acar lllustrating the brake actuating mechanism comprising my invention,and showing the connection of the brake staff with the brake beamactuating rod underneath the car; and F g. 8 is a view taken on the line8-8 of F 1g. 7, showing in plan a ratchet wheel secured to the samebrake staff and a pivot pawl inengagement with the same.

Although my invention is illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings asbeing applied to a freight car of the gondola type, it will beunderstood that it is as well applicable to cars of other constructions,such, for instance, as day passenger cars and Pullman passenger cars,and the brake staff may be arranged either vertically, as shown, orhorizontally, as will be readily understood.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a brake stafl" which isjournaled at its upper end in a bearing 2 provided in a bracket 3 whichis secured by means of bolts or other-.

wise to some portion ofv a car, such, for instance, as the sides or endsof the body of the car, being shown in Figs. 6 and 7 as connected withthe end of the body of the car.

The upper edge of the bracket 3 at points upon opposite sides of thebearing formed therein is provided with stop lugs 5 and 6 which areadapted to engage the opposite sides of a cooperating stop lug 7 formedupon a housing 10 which surrounds and is secured to the upper endportion of the brake staff 1. The lower end of the housing is reduced asindicated at 11, and the end of such reduced portion rests upon theupper edge of the'bearing 2, as is clearly shown in the drawings.

12 designates a ratchet wheel provided with a squared or angular openingwhich fits upon the squared or angular-upper end portion 13 of. thebrake staff 1.- Such CHARLES A. Lmnsrntm, orALLEGHENY,PEEnsYLvAN1A{AssIGNoa T0 RA'ICHT'I.

ratchet wheel is located in the housing 10.

The upper end of the housing is inclosed by means of a cap 14 having anupwardly projecting portion which is hollow for the reception of thereduced upper end 16 of the brake staff 1. Such cap is secured to thereduced end 16 by means of a cross-pin '17. The cap is also providedwith an annular flange 18 which fits inside the upper end of the housing10. The fit between the flange 18 and the housing is such that thelatter may be rotated relatively to the cap 14.

The housing is'provided with a hollow projection 20 which extendslaterally from one side thereof and is also provided with an opening 21in alinement with such pm,

jection in and through which opening 'a pawl 22, supported upon thehousing structure, is adapted to operate for engagement with anddisengagement from the teeth upon the ratchet wheel 12. The pawl 22 isprovided with shoulders 23 fora purpose to be hereinafter mentioned.

25 designates the handle by means of which the brake mechanism isactuated, which handle at itsin-ner end' is forked and extends into thehollow projection 20 and is pivotally connected thereto by means of apivot 26. The bottom and opposite side portions of the inner end of thehandle 25 extend into the projection 20, the bottom being situated nearthe lower edge or side of the portions of the sides are located insideof the opposite sides of the projection 20 in narrow spaces formedbetween downwardly projecting ribs 27 and the inner surface of theopposite sides. The pivot pin 26 is connected to the inner end of thebottom of the said handle. The top of the projection 20 is provided withraised or lifted portions 28 in which arcuate shaped spaces are providedconcentric with the pivot pin 26, which spaces provide paths for themovement of the corners 29 at the inner ends of the sides of the handle25.

Projecting inwardly from the lower edges in the inner'ends of the sidesof the handle, beyond pivot26, are lugs 30 which are adapted to engageshoulders 23 formed upon the opposite sides of the pawl 22 when thebandle is moved from the horizontal position, shown in Figs. 1 and 2, toa depending or folded position, as shown in Fig. 4.

The pawl projects through and operates in the opening 21 formed in theside of the 7 housing 10 in alinement with the central 55 portion of theprojection 20, and is suported upon the lower edge of the said openmgand upon a cross-plate 31 extending between the lower portions of thesides of the projection 20. The pawl 22 is also provided so with anintegral extension 32 which isslidingly supported in an opening 33 inthe outer closed end 34 of the projection 20. A spring 35 which iscoiled around the extension 32 and one end oihwhich bears against as theouter closed end 34: of the projection 20,

said housing, while the opposite inner end meemi and the opposite end ofwhich bears against the flanges 36, formed upon the outer end of the awl22, exerts pressure against the said paw to cause the same to moveinwardly to engage the ratchet teeth upon the ratchet wheel 12. 3

When the handle is dropped from the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, thelugs 30 thereon engage the shoulders 23 to cause the automatic outwardmovement of the pawl 22 in opposition to the spring 35 to disengage saidpawl from the ratchet teeth on the ratchet wheel 12. On the other hand,a movement of the handle from the position shown in Fig. 4, to thatshown in Figs. 1 and 2, relieves the lu s 30 from contact with theshoulders 23 an permits the spring 35 to cause automatic movement of thepawl inwardly to engage the said ratchet teeth.

It will be observed that when the handle is moved in one direction, thebeveled end of the pawl 22 rides over the teeth of the ratchet wheel 12,whereas when the handle is moved in the opposite direction, the saidpawl engages the said ratchet teeth and causes rotation ofthe ratchetwheel together with the brake stafl connected thereto. It will also benoted that the engagement of the lugs 7 upon the housing with the lugs 5and 6 upon the bracket 2 limits the angular movement of the said housingand the handle of the brake actuating mechanism.

Whenthe brake actuating mechanism is being operated for the purpose ofapplying the brake, it is necessary that means be provided for holdingthe brake staff against rotation during the interval when thehanreturned to its initial position,

dle is bein at which time the pawl or other equivalent device rides overthe teeth of the ratchet device secured to the brake staff. For thispurpose I have provided the usual ratchet wheel 37which is secured tothe lower end portion of the brake staff 1, as indicated in Fig. 7 ofthe drawings, which ratchet wheel is adapted to be engaged by a dog orpawl 38 pivoted to a stationary part of the car, which dog or pawl isadapted to be disengaged from the said ratchet by a kick of the foot orin any other convenient manner. The said ratchet and pawl also operateto hold the said staff against rotation during periods when the clutch.mechanism for opcratively connecting the handle to the staff is in disenaged or inoperative position.

he brake staff is extended in the construction illustrated to a pointbelow the bottom of the car body, as indicated at 39, and to suchextension the usual .chain'or other equivalent means 40 is secured,which chain in this embodiment extends around a sheave 41 whichisrotatably supported upon the end of a brake applying rod 42 underneaththe car. From the said sheave the chain 40 extends toward the end of thecar and is connected to a fixed point on the car,

as indicated at 43. \Vhen rotated in one diclutch mechanism when thesaid staff rotates in the opposite direction to release the brakes.

I caim:

1. In a brake handle, the combination of a clutch mechanism comprisingopposing clutch members one of which is continuously spring-pressed andis slidingly movable into engagement with the other of said members orinto a disengaging position with relation thereto, a rotatable memberexterior to said movable clutch member and rotatable thereupon saidexterior rotatable member to fulcrum thereon and have engagement withsaid movable clutch member for moving the sameinto a disengagingposition with relation to said other clutch member upon the dropping ofsaid lever.

2. In a brake handle, the combination of an exterior rotary member,means for supporting said member, a clutch mechanism comprising opposingclutch members one of which, a slidingly movable member, rotates withsaid exterior rotary member to have engagement with the other of saidclutch members, said movable clutch member being continuously urgedtoward the other and being movable also into a disengaging position withrelation to said other clutch member, and a drop lever secured to saidexterior rotary member for rotating the same and said movable clutchmember as said lever is turned, said lever being pivotally mounted uponsaid exterior rotary member to fulcrum thereon to engage said movableclutch member and to move the same-into a disengaging position upon thedropping of said lever.

3. In" a brake handle, the combination of a rotary member, a springbearing against said member, clutch-mechanism comprising opposing clutchmembersfone of which, a

slidingly movable member, rotates with said rotary member and mayhave'spring pressed engagement with the other'To-f said clutch members,said movable clutch member being movablealso into a positionof'disengagement with relation to said other clutch memturn thereon andoccupy either an outturned position or a down-turned position, saidlever having a part engaging sald movable clutch member and maintainingthe same in a disengaging position when said lever is occupying itsdown-turned position.

4. In a brake handle, the combination-of an exterior member, means forsupporting said member to rotate without endwise displacement, a clutchmechanism comprising opposing clutch members of which one is a slidinglymovable member rotatable with said exterior rotary member to haveengagement with the other of said clutch members, said movable clutchmember being continuously urged toward the other clutch member but beingdisplaceable into a 'disengaging position with relation to said other ofthe clutch members, and a lever pivotally mounted upon said exteriorrotary member for rotating the same and said movable clutch member assaid lever is turned, said lever having also an operative engagementwith said movable clutch member for moving the same into adisengaging'position upon the pivotal turning of said lever on saidexterior rotary member.

5. In a-brake handle, the combination of a clutch mechanism comprisingopposing clutch members one of which members is slidingly movable tohave engagement with the other of said members or. into a disengagingposition with relation thereto, a rotarycasing rotatable with saidmovable clutch member, a spring bearing against said casing andpermitting one of said clutch members to shift backward over the otherand a drop lever pivotally mounted upon said casing for rotating thesame and said movable clutch member as said lever is turned laterallysaid lever being adapted also to have engagement with said movableclutch member and move the same into a disengaging position away fromsaid other clutch member upon the dropping of said lever.

6. In a brake handle, the combination of an exterior rotatable member, aspring therein, means for supporting said member to rotate withoutendwise displacement, a

the other of said clutch members, said movable clutch member beingslidable longitudinally within said exterior rotary member and againstsaid spring into a disengaging position with relation to said otherclutch member, said movable clutch member presenting also an exterioredge, and a lever pivotally mounted upon said exterior rotary member forrotating the same and saidmovable' clutch member, said lever beingadapted alsoto haveengagement with said edge for moving saidmovable'cliitch member into a disengaging position upon the dropping ofsaid lever.

'member rotatable with said casing and slidable with respect thereto, aspring housed in said casing and permitting relative movement betweensaid clutch members, and a drop lever secured to said casing forrotating the same and said movable clutch member, said lever beingadapted to engage s'aid movable clutch member and move the same upon thedropping of said lever. 8. In a brake handle, the combination of arotary exterior casing, means for supporting said casing to rotatewithout endwise displacement, a clutch mechanism comprising opposingclutch members, one a movable clutch member cooperating with the otherof said members to have operative engagement therewith or be movableaway from the same to a disengaging position, said mov-. able clutchmember being rotatable with said casing and slidable endwise withrelation thereto, means constantly urging said movable clutch memberinto engagement'with the other clutch member, and a lever pivotallymounted upon said casing for moving the same and said movable clutchmember, said lever being adapted also to engage said movable clutchmember and move the same into a disengaging position upon the droppingof, said lever.

9. In a brake handle, the combination of a rotary casing, means forsupporting said casing, a clutch mechanism comprising opposing clutchmembers, one a movable member cooperating with the other of said clutchmembers to have operative engagement therewith or be movable away fromthe same into a, disengaging position, said movable clutch member beingrotatable with said casing and slidable endwise with relation thereto, aspring normally engaging said movable clutch member, and a lever havinga handle and forked arms mounted to turn within the opposite sides ofsaid casing and presenting parts adapted to have engagement with saidmovable clutch member for moving the same against the tension of saidspring and into a disengaging position upon the dropping of said lever.

10. In a brake handle, the combination of a rotary casing, means forsupporting said casing, a clutch mechanism comprising oposing clutchmembers, one a movable mem-' ber constantly-surged toward the other ofsaid clutch members to have operative engagement therewith but movableaway from the same into a disengaging position, said movable clutchmember being rotatable with said casing and slidable endwise withrelameager tion thereto, and a lever havi'ng forked arms with butts onthe ends thereof turning within the opposite sides of said casing with Imembers eccentrically arranged thereon to engage said movable clutchmember upon the dropping ofsaid lever substantially as described.

11. In a brake handle, the combination of a central post, a casing,means for mounting said casing upon said post to rotate thereon withoutendwise displacement, a clutch mechanism comprising opposing clutchmembers, one a movable clutch member rotatable with said casing andslidable therein into a disengaging position with relation to the otherof said clutch members, a spring engaging said movable clutch member,and a drop lever secured to said casing for rotating the same and saidmovable clutch member, said lever being adapted also to engage saidmovable clutch member and move the same against the tension of saidspring and into a disengaging position upon the dropping of said lever.

12. Brake acuating mechanism including in combination a brake staff, aratchet wheel secured upon said brake staff, a housing se cured to turnabout said staff and inclosing and protecting said ratchet wheel, saidhousing having a lateral projection closed at its top and end, a' pawlsupported in said housing and adapted to cooperate with said ratchetwheel, said pawl projecting into said closed extension of the housing, adrop handle pivoted to said housing and provided with means beyond itspivotal center for moving said pawl out of operative engagement with theratchet wheel when the handle is folded down out of the way.

13. Brake actuating mechanism including in combination a brake staff, aratchet wheel secured upon said brake staff, means covering andprotecting said ratchet wheel and the end of said staff and pinned tosaid staff to prevent removal therefrom, said covering means having alateral extension closed at the top and end, a pawl for operativelyengaging said ratchet wheel, said pawl having an end proiecting intosaid closed lateral in combination a brake stall", a ratchet securedupon said staff, a clutch member continuously urged toward said ratchetand adapted to engage the ratchet in one direction of oscillation and todisengage therefrom in the reverse direction of oscillation in order toconvert oscillatory movements of the clutch member into unidirectionalrotary movements of the brake staff, a covering for said clutch member,and a hand lever pivoted to swing from a non-interfering dependingposition to an extended operative position for oscillation of saidclutch member, the inner end of said hand lever being bifurcated andprovided with a pair of opposing lugs for engaging the clutch member todisengage it from the ratchet when the handle is in its dependingposition but allowing it to engage the ratchet when the handle is in itsextended position.

15. In a brake, the combination of a brake staff, a ratchet wheelthereon, said ratchet Wheel having an irregular shaped opening and saidbrake staifhaving an irregular shaped end projecting into said openingwhereby the turning of the ratchet wheel may turn the staff, coveringmeans fastened to the end of said stafi above said ratchet wheel, asliding pawl continuously urged toward operative engagement with saidratchet wheel and a drop handle with a bifurcated inner end carryingopposing lugs which serve as cams for moving said pawl out of operativeengagement with said ratchet when the handle is dropped, but

' allows said pawl to come into operative engagement with the ratchetwhen the handle is extended into operative position.

16. In a brake, the combination of a supporting member, a member locatedabove the same, a brake shaft projecting through the first-named memberand finding a hearing in the other member, a ratchet wheellocated'between said members, said ratchet wheel having an irregularshaped opening and said brake shaft having an irregular shaped endfitting said opening, the lower part of said ratchet wheel being formedinto a downwardly extending'annular flange, a sliding spring-pressedpawl directly engaging said ratchet wheel, a housing inclosing saidratchet wheel and adapted to turn with respect thereto, and a drophandle for moving said pawl out of operative engagement with saidratchet.

17. In a brake, the combination of a sup-- ranged to rotate said memberon the brake shaft between the first and second members, and operativewhen dropped to disconnect said pawl from its. ratchet, said shafthaving an irregular-shaped end and the ratchet wheel having an irregularshaped recess whereby one must'turn with the other as the ratchet wheelis turned by said lever or handle.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature, in presence of twowitnesses.

CHARLES A. LINDSTROM.

Witnesses:

/ .GEO. B. BLEMING, L. H. JOHNSON. g

